Malcolm Turnbull makes emotional first visit to Australian war graves during PNG tour

On the outskirts of Port Moresby, wedged between a school and scrubby grassland, sits a garden oasis perfectly manicured and made lush by the ample Papua New Guinea (PNG) rain.

The tropical flower beds, majestic rain trees and rolling green lawns wouldn't sit out of place in any island resort, but the rows upon rows of white marble headstones would.

The Bomana War cemetery is the site of more Australian war graves than any other place in the world. At the site 3300 men, and one woman, lay buried just south of the entrance to the Kokoda Track. All killed in the PNG campaign that raged on Australia's doorstep in World War II.

Malcolm Turnbull had never been to Bomana before. His previous trips to PNG had been all about business. The Prime Minister made sure his first official visit as leader, this weekend, included time spent at the important site.

George "Dick" Whittington who died of his wounds in February 1943. (Joel Dry/9NEWS) ()

As part of any official tour, Mr Turnbull's movements are closely followed by a pool of travelling Australian cameras and media. The intense attention could easily have distracted him from what should be a solemn and respectful tour, but the avid historian wandered the grounds at the pace of a man thoroughly engaged in the stories of the graves.

Guided by officials from the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, the Prime Minister was given detailed accounts of the lives and deaths of a number of Australians honoured at Bomana, some well known, others less so.

For a few minutes he paused at the grave of George "Dick" Whittington who died of his wounds in February 1943. Many Australians won't immediately recognise Whittington's name, but most will have seen his image, captured in perhaps the most iconic photograph of the PNG campaign, bandaged and aided by a Fuzzy Wuzzy Angel.

Dick Whittington being helped along a track toward a field hospital in Dobodura on 25 December 1942. (Australian War Memorial) ()

The story of Squadron Leader John Jackon was another intently absorbed by Mr Turnbull. Jackson was a fighter pilot, credited with a vital role in helping defend against the Japanese in the Battle of Port Moresby. He was shot down and killed in April 1942. The PNG capital's Jacksons International Airport is named in his honour.

Mr Turnbull seemed moved by another fallen ace-pilot, with a familiar name. Peter Turnbull - no relation to the Prime Minister - died aged 25, killed while flying in the Battle of Milne Bay.

For 30 minutes Mr Turnbull strolled the graves, at times alone without the glare of cameras, unhurried by the stifling heat and humidity.

This was Mr Turnbull’s first trip to PNG as Prime Minister. ()The Prime Minister was given detail accounts of the lives and deaths of a number of Australians honoured at Bomana. (Joel Dry/9NEWS) ()There are 3300 men, and one woman, buried at the site. (Joel Dry/9NEWS) ()

It was an indication of the importance he placed on the commemorative elements of his visit, that a good deal of the first of only two days in PNG was spent touring sites connected to Australia's war sacrifice. This year marks the 75 year anniversary of the New Guinea Campaign.

"Australia's freedom depended on the courage, endurance, mateship and the sacrifice of those few Australians and Papua New Guineans who stood together and held back the Japanese advance", the Prime Minister said.

An hour earlier - flown in by Australian Army chopper - he'd been standing at the Isurava Memorial, overlooking the Kokoda Track, a place where more than 600 Australians died in battle.

"Looking down that valley you see the fate of a nation hung in the balance ... it's right to honour those heroes here today".

The remainder of Mr Turnbull's PNG visit has had a focus on the future of the fragile host nation but his early focus perhaps presented Australians with a rarely seen view of their Prime Minister. He is a leader best known for his obsession with innovation and progress of the nation, but he's also clearly one with a knowledge, respect and admiration for the history of the country he now leads.

Mr Turnbull is now on route to India for the second stop of his international trip.